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When heart rate monitors were developed for the first time they were used primarily in hospitals or for other medical purposes. Today though, heart monitor watches serve several purposes. Although still important medically, heart monitors are used widely by athletes as well as by anyone looking to improve their level of fitness.

The most basic purpose of heart monitor watches is to count how many times your heart beats in a certain period of time. This is true for monitors used medically or by athletes. But they have come a long way since the beginning.

Heart monitor watches today help with fitness training for both serious athletes and the casual exerciser. Some monitors come with several basic features while other monitors are more advanced. It depends on what you want to measure as well as what you want to keep track of.

Many monitors assess your overall fitness level at rest. Combining heart rate with other data like age will enable the on-board computer to estimate your ideal beats per minute (BPM). You can then plan an exercise program that will keep your heart rate at the right level for you.

Once you know what your optimum BPM is you may decide to find a monitor that has a zone alarm as one of its features. This is actually a very important feature to consider because it can help you maintain your workout in an optimum range. That way you can exercise safely while still challenging yourself enough to get in a good workout. The alarm is triggered if you exceed or fall below the range of your optimum heart rate.

Along with a zone alarm, many monitors will measure the number of calories that are burned during a workout. Fitness buffs find that this motivates them to keep working out. It also seems to be a great incentive for beginners because they can see right away how many calories are being burned during their workout.

A heart monitor watch is designed to keep track of a great deal of information. This is useful in that it helps you to get the most out of a workout. Besides calories burned, these monitor watches will track average heart rate, total time spent in a workout, the number of sessions you've completed, and more.

More advanced models let you upload the information your monitor has gathered to the company's website. The website will then recommend a training program specific to you based upon your exercise goals and the purpose for your workout. For some, the goal may be to improve fitness, while for others it may be to lose weight.

Monitors designed to be used by athletes are usually waterproof and will have a back-light to enable viewing if you are exercising in the dark. You can count on them being rugged enough to withstand some abuse.

Most heart rate monitors come in two separate parts; the watch and the strap that fits around the chest. The strap is the part that measures the heart rate and then sends this information to the watch.

Although this kind of heart monitor produces results that are most accurate, the strap can be uncomfortable for some. Women sometimes have a problem getting a proper fit with the strap. The result of wearing an ill-fitting strap could be an inaccurate reading. Fortunately there is a way around this problem. Wrist heart rate monitors can be used without a chest strap.

Heart monitor watches can help to increase the effectiveness of your fitness plan or training program, while keeping you safe by monitoring your heart rate. Whether you are serious about your sport and level of fitness or just getting started on a program, a heart rate monitor can be a valuable tool for your success.

Whether you are a serious athlete or a casual exerciser, heart monitor watches can help boost performance and improve fitness levels. Although monitors can be worn by anyone, women may find it more comfortable wearing a wrist heart rate monitor.